Introducing Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Romances

A Guide for Teachers

Victor Cahn

Acclaimed teacher of drama Victor L. Cahn begins with a general introduction, then examines seven of Shakespeare’s plays: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, TWELFTH NIGHT, RICHARD II, HENRY IV, PART 1, and THE TEMPEST. With attention always directed towards inspiring student interest and response, Professor Cahn provides an overview or “spine” for each work, then proceeds scene by scene, focusing on salient characters, details of language, and major themes. The volume not only is entertaining and clear, but also raises provocative points of interpretation as well as numerous questions for discussion. Underlying the project is the conviction that although the plays are most effective in performance, they can nonetheless prove compelling in the classroom, where students can appreciate that although these works are set in a distant time and place, their issues and implications remain universal. « lessmore »

Victor L. Cahn is Professor Emeritus of English at Skidmore College. He is the author of fifteen books (seven on Shakespeare), as well as numerous plays that have been presented Off-Broadway and regionally.

Chapter 3: The Merchant of Venice Chapter 4: Twelfth Night, or What You WillA Few Words about the Histories Chapter 5: Richard II Chapter 6: Henry IV, Part 1A Few Words about the Romances Chapter 7: The Tempest Afterword About the Author

Drawing on decades of experience, Cahn offers a genial and insightful guide to the growing challenges we all face presenting these plays to students.— Joseph A. Dane, Professor of English, University of Southern California

Professor Cahn's guide to Shakespeare's plays reflects his many years of experience in the classroom and the theater. Teachers faced with the daunting task of engaging 21st-century students with 16th-century drama will benefit from Professor Cahn's stimulating presentation of a complex subject and share his delight in Shakespeare's language and intelligence. Cahn skillfully presents the material with clarity and wit, offering perceptive insights in an accessible manner with as much style as he did when I was his student.— Alexandra Dunietz Ph.D, Independent Scholar

For the student, teacher, or general reader, Professor Cahn's work is an excellent, refreshingly direct guide to the essential issues of Shakespeare's plays. Teachers will find Professor Cahn's clear and elegant prose a pleasure to read and his nuanced critical approaches especially stimulating.— Annette Stoller, The Fieldston School

Introducing Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Romances

A Guide for Teachers

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Summary

Summary

Acclaimed teacher of drama Victor L. Cahn begins with a general introduction, then examines seven of Shakespeare’s plays: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, TWELFTH NIGHT, RICHARD II, HENRY IV, PART 1, and THE TEMPEST. With attention always directed towards inspiring student interest and response, Professor Cahn provides an overview or “spine” for each work, then proceeds scene by scene, focusing on salient characters, details of language, and major themes. The volume not only is entertaining and clear, but also raises provocative points of interpretation as well as numerous questions for discussion. Underlying the project is the conviction that although the plays are most effective in performance, they can nonetheless prove compelling in the classroom, where students can appreciate that although these works are set in a distant time and place, their issues and implications remain universal.

Victor L. Cahn is Professor Emeritus of English at Skidmore College. He is the author of fifteen books (seven on Shakespeare), as well as numerous plays that have been presented Off-Broadway and regionally.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 3: The Merchant of Venice Chapter 4: Twelfth Night, or What You WillA Few Words about the Histories Chapter 5: Richard II Chapter 6: Henry IV, Part 1A Few Words about the Romances Chapter 7: The Tempest Afterword About the Author

Reviews

Reviews

Drawing on decades of experience, Cahn offers a genial and insightful guide to the growing challenges we all face presenting these plays to students.— Joseph A. Dane, Professor of English, University of Southern California

Professor Cahn's guide to Shakespeare's plays reflects his many years of experience in the classroom and the theater. Teachers faced with the daunting task of engaging 21st-century students with 16th-century drama will benefit from Professor Cahn's stimulating presentation of a complex subject and share his delight in Shakespeare's language and intelligence. Cahn skillfully presents the material with clarity and wit, offering perceptive insights in an accessible manner with as much style as he did when I was his student.— Alexandra Dunietz Ph.D, Independent Scholar

For the student, teacher, or general reader, Professor Cahn's work is an excellent, refreshingly direct guide to the essential issues of Shakespeare's plays. Teachers will find Professor Cahn's clear and elegant prose a pleasure to read and his nuanced critical approaches especially stimulating.— Annette Stoller, The Fieldston School